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IKASI 2002 was a rousing success. “Let’s do this again next year!” “Thank you so much. This has been needed for a long time.” “Next time, let’s have dance lessons!” Excitement, enthusiasm, and laughter were three of the main ingredients for the first IKASI program held in Reno, Nevada, June 26–29, 2002. Forty-eight members of the Basque-American community came to Reno for IKASI, a three-day learning experience for adults. “The kids have Udaleku where they learn to dance, sing, play Basque instruments, and speak a little Euskara,” said Anita Anacabe. “But for years, adults in the community have felt the need for a time of their own, pared down to fit their schedules.” The Center for Basque Studies, in conjunction with N.A.B.O. Inc., decided to launch IKASI to fill that need. The response was spectacular! Originally, Anita Anacabe and John Ysursa began throwing out ideas for an IKASI program at a meeting of the Advisory Board for the Center in the summer of 2001. When Linda White heard the idea, she volunteered to coordinate the test program the following summer. Ysursa and White brainstormed during another Board meeting in February 2002, and White began lining up instructors and making plans. The initial cap on attendance was set at forty people. “We were hoping for forty, but we thought we might get thirty or so,” said White, “We really had no idea. Within three weeks of the announcement via the N.A.B.O. and Center websites, and via e-mails to the Basque Clubs, we had forty-three who wanted to attend.” She found out that the venue could hold 48 people, so fairly quickly that many signed up. The program provided three “classes” a day and offered an activity every evening as well. General culture, history, the Guggenheim Museum, Basque film, musical instruments, cooking, and Basque language were all on the agenda. Center Director Joseba Zulaika taught the Basque card game mus on Wednesday evening. On Thursday evening, Dr. Joseba Gabilondo hosted a Basque movie with subtitles and discussion. On Friday, the IKASI group was invited to watch the Udaleku campers demonstrate their newly acquired skills in dance and music. In addition, the singing group NOKA presented a splendid session that combined female-centered folk songs with information about the hika, the informal mode of address in Euskara. Group members Cathy Petrissans, Andrea Bidart, and Begoña Echeverria blended their beautiful voices in haunting harmony, and baby Amaia demonstrated how effective a Basque lullaby could be by almost dropping off to sleep. White told us, “We used to do Elderhostel programs on a Basque theme and every year the program was full. But only two or three of the participants would be Basque. It was enjoyable, but it wasn’t the same as presenting this information for Basque-Americans. One of the greatest joys of doing IKASI was seeing the depth of feeling each session generated in our attendees. We are already planning for IKASI 2003.” |
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 Ikasi participants Anna Aguirre, Mary Gaztambide, and Nancy Trevino. |
 (left photo:) Lisa Corcostegui gave a presentation on Basque musical instruments. (right photo:) Marc Ugalde prepared some Basque dishes for the group. |
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NOKA members encouraged the participants to sing along. |
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